Queen Jade: The county fair has been a lifelong pursuit--literally

Tuesday

Jul 15, 2014 at 8:07 AM

GREG MATICS

RIPLEY - For the new queen of the Jackson County Junior Fair, our county’s annual premier summer event has been a life-long pursuit—literally.

“I’ve been to the fair every one of my 17 years,” said Jade Donohew, from beneath her glittering crown on the Ripley High School Auditorium stage Saturday night. “I attended my first fair when my mom was eight months pregnant with me, and I’ve been there every year since.”For the statuesque, blue-eyed, brunette Ripley High School senior-to-be with the winning smile, possessing the queen’s crown and reigning over the fair is a real dream-come-true. “I’ve always looked up to the queen over the years, and wanted to be her,” she said.

Yet this queen is more than just a pretty face, she’s involved in the fair up to those striking blue eyes, in the show ring and out.The daughter of Nathan and Staci Donohew of Evans was named Grand Champion Senior Swine Showman in 2013 and then won the Supreme Showman Contest crown in a show-off of all of the 2013 fair’s champion senior showmen. This year, in addition to her queenly duties which include presenting ribbons and trophies in the marathon line-up of showmanship and market livestock shows, Queen Jade will be showing three different market animals herself.She’ll also be representing the fair at numerous functions and activities, including the 2015 West Virginia Association of Fairs & Festivals Pageant in Charleston.

Donohew is active in the Ripley FFA and 4-H, and is a Viking varsity cheerleader. She’s also competes in cross country, basketball and track for the Lady Vikings.After graduating from Ripley High School next spring, Queen Jade plans to attend WVU-P and major in special education.Katilyn Thomas, 16, daughter of Lowell and Peggy Thomas of Sandyville, was named First Runner-Up. Delaney Parsons, 16, daughter of Gary and Carla Parsons of Kenna, was named Second Runner-Up. Cierra Jenkins, 16, daughter of David and Chrystal Jenkins of Ripley, was named Third Runner-Up. Meriah Cummings, 18, daughter of Kevin and Jaris Cummings of Evans, was named Miss Photogenic. Samantha Border, 16, daughter of Andy and Lisa Border of Ripley, was named Miss Congeniality.

In the Teen portion of the pageant, Izabella “Izzy” Donohew, 15, daughter of Nathan and Staci Donohew of Evans, was crowned 2014 Jackson County Junior Fair Teen Queen and Miss Congeniality. Kelsey Hill, 13, daughter of Brian and Sonya Hill of Evans, was named First Runner-Up. Michaela Dickenson, 13, daughter of April Dickenson and Chad Lanham and Scott and Angie Dickenson, was named Miss Photogenic. In the Pre-Teen portion of the pageant, Lauren Roush, 11, daughter of Jason and Leslie Roush of Ripley, was crowned 2014 Jackson County Junior Fair Pre-Teen Queen. Twin sister Julia Roush was named First Runner-Up and Miss Congeniality. Morgan Jarvis, 10, daughter of Chad and Bettina Jarvis of Ripley, was named Second Runner-Up. Rebecca Burdette, 11, daughter of Steve and Shelia Burdette of Ravenswood, was named Third Runner-Up and Miss Photogenic.Monica Welling Carson, 1992 Jackson County Junior Fair Queen, served as mistress of ceremonies for the pageant. Entertainment was provided by Alexis Lewis.

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